Concrete-forming machine.



Patented Feb. 29, 1916';

9 SHEETSSHEET I- F. R. STEHM.

CONCRETE FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.22. I907. 1,173,987.

THE COLUMBIA pLMjoGRAPH c0.. WASHINGTON. D. c v

1 M m l l i l i M Q momm w AR. m? Av\ IP? w hm Q3 mg m b: m5 N M MN m as Q m F. R} STEHM} CONCRETE FORMING- MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-22. 1907- Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

- 9 SHEETS-SHEET 2- \1 8 g w & m 1? m: 1 i Ma 5 0 M 3 am b m w smm J M 5 p mtg m: COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0,, WASHINGTON, n. c.

F. R. STEHM. CONCRETE FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.22, I907. I

Patented Feb. 29,1916.

TH]: CUIJWHHA PLANOGRAPH CO., \VASHINGTON, D. C-

m Wag/Y g 3 My .1 I w a.

F. R.STEHM. CONCRETE FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.22. 1907.

Iwenfir mix/444 Attys F. R. STEHM.'

CONCRETE FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.22. 1907.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

9 SHEETSSHEET 5- LEEEEEE mhv m m m3 Q3 93 L ME @3 Q m3 NS. Q 0% P8 nfi THE coLuMau PLANOGRAPH c0., WASHINGTON, D. c.

F. R. STEHM.

CONCRETE FORMINGMACHINE.

MPLICATION FILED AUG.22, 1907.

Patented Feb. 29, 1916.;

9 SHEETSSHEET 6.

F. R. STEHM.

CONCRETE FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.2Z, 19oz.

9 SHEETSSHEET 7.

aka I WM fila @M. 5 Aitys THE COLUMBIA PLANOURAFH 0)., WASHINGTON, D. c.-

F. R. STEHM.

CONCRETE FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.22. 1907 1,173,987. Patented Feb. 29, 1916.

9 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

ldzlinesses, e I Inventor THE COLUMBIA FLAI IOGRAPH 60.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

F. R. STEHM. CONCRETE FORMING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG,22. I907. 1,173,987. Patented Feb. 29,1916.

9 SHEETSSHEET 9.

figog l' TED STATES amen.

FRANK STEHM, OF DES MOINES, IOVIA, ASSIGNOR'TO ENAMEL CONCRETE COMPANY,

OF DES MOINES, IOWA, A CORPORATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

CONCRETE-FORMING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patentgd Feb, 29, 1916.

Application filed August 22, 190 Serial No. 388,706.

'Moines, in the county of Polk and State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful. Concrete-Forming Machine, of which the following is a specification.

The objects of my invention are to provide amachine for automatically constructing concrete, and other articles of various kinds, into which the materials which are used to form the article to bev constructed are delivered, and from which the completed article is delivered, without'manual assist- A further object is to'provide a machine by which the materials are thoroughly mixed in the proper proportions, are fed properly into the various molds, are packedinto dense and solid form within the molds, and the body of the molds released from the articles to allow thebottom of the molds or pallet to be removed and set away with the hardened articles upon it.

A further object is to provide a machine of this class bywhich articles of various size, shape and dimension may be automatically constructed, whiclimay have a smooth, glossy, or polished surface or surfaces when they have dried.

A further object is to provide a machine by which surfacing material may be fed into the mold of any desirable constituency, and a coarser material may be deposited upon said surfacing in the desired proportions and of the desired mixture, and amechanism for applying pressure, to the material while within the molds, to densify and form these articles, and to provide a mechanism for releasing and delivering the articles thus constructed at the rear end of the machine where they can be easily taken away, and stored for drying.

A furtherobject is to provide a machine which is so constructed, arranged and timed as to accomplish all of these results informing the articles as they are advanced through the machine by means of the conveyer, and to accomplish all of the results step by step, applying one of the machine steps to one set ofarticles at the same time, certain other steps are being applied to the other articles. 7

My invention consists in, certain details in the construction, arrangement and com- .into the ends of the molds.

bination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter morefully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 shows, in elevation, the right side of my machine, with the aggregate mixerand water pipes removed. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the left side of my machine with the conveyer removed. Fig. 3 is a detailelevation of the rear side of the edge surfacing feeder for preparing and delivering the surfacing material to the mold. vA portion of the side of this is broken away to show the interior construction' Fig. 4 is a longitudinal, sectional view ofone of the mold frames, showing its molds or compartments and the mechanism for support ing the releasing bottom or pallet. Fig. 5 1s a vertlcal, sectional new of the edge surfacing feeder, cut on the line 55 of Fig. 3. :Flg. 6 is an elevation of the left end ofthe end surfacing feeder. Fig. 7 is a vertical, sectional view of the end surfacing feeder, showing the interior construction thereof, illustrating the mechanism for delivering thesurfacing into the end of the mold in the act of delivery. Fig. 8 is a detail end view of the cam and counterbalancing weight, which together operate and release the mechanism for delivering the surfacing lg. 9 is a detail View, showing a portion of the plate which delivers the surfacing into the ends of the mold. Fig. 10 is a detail view, showing the front side of one of the mold frames and the mechanism for making spaces at the end of each mold into which the surfacing is poured for the ends of the article which are being formed. Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the machine for making spaces'at the end of the mold, cut on the line 1010 of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a vertical, sectional view of the mechanism for making spaces at the ends of the article in the molds, out on the line 1111 of Fig. 10. Fig. 13 is a detail, plan view of the gears for operating the article releasing mechanism. Fig. 14

is a detail view, showing in elevation and and the mechanisms which it controls, and by which it is operated, and also in detail the conveyor and the pallet delivering mechanism. Fig. 16 is a rear elevation of the machine with a portion broken away, to show in detail certain portions of the interior mechanism. Fig. 17 is a cross sectional view of the aggregate hopper which forms the body of the article to be constructed. Fig. 18 is a detail view of one end of the mechanism for supporting the mold frame after the articles have been released from the molds. Fig. 19 shows, in elevation, the right side of two of the gears for operating the releasing plunger and timing its operation. Fig. 20 shows, in elevation, the left side of the gears shown in Fig. 19. Fig. 21 is a perspective view of one of the pallets which form, and is, in operation, the detachable bottom of the mold. Fig. 22, is a detail view of the dog for driving the main conveyer and the mechanism for releasing the dog. Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the pallet inverted, and Fig. 24 shows, in perspective, one of the sections of the'conveyer, which I have called, for the sake of convenience, the pallet bed plate, upon which the pallet or detachable bottom of the mold rests when in the machine.

The frame.-The entire operative parts of this machine are mounted on a frame comprising two sides 25 and 26, suitably braced relative to each other by transverse members. Extending longitudinally of the lower inner portion of the sides 25 and 26 are the rails 27 and 28, and mounted some distance above the top of each side of the frame and above the sides 25 and 26 are the rails 29 and 30. These rails are constructed, and arranged to support the conveyer, to be hereinafter described, as it is operated. The Conway er. Mounted at the ends of the frame and extending transversely of it are two shafts 31 and On the shaft 31 and near its ends are two sprockets 33. Mounted on the shaft 32, and near its ends are two sprockets 34. I have provided an endless conveyor, comprising a series of pallet bed plates 35, which are connected with each other by means of two sprocket chains 36 and 37, which pass over the sprockets 33 and 34, and are mounted upon the rollers 38, which roll over and are supported by the rails 27 and 29 in operation.

1l[0ZcZs.Detachably connected with each end of each of the pallet bed plates and extending upwardly therefrom, is a retaining post 39, which is screw threaded at its lower ends and tapered slightly immediately inside of the screw threaded portion, so that when they are screwed into the pallet bed plates, they are braced against lateral or longitudinal strain and are held in alinement with each other. Secured between the pair of posts on each of the pallet bed plates is a mold frame comprising two sides 40 and two end portions 41. Extending transversely of this mold frame is a series of cross pieces 42, which, together with the ends and sides, form a series of molds into which the substances, for forming the article to be constructed by the machine, are poured. The bottom of this series of molds is formed, preferably by a pallet 43 resting upon the pallet bed plate, and is retained therein by the projections 44 on the bed plate which enter notches 45 in the pallet board, and the upper surface of which engages the lower portion of the mold frame. The upper portion of this pallet bed plate is finished either with a smooth, nonadhesive or polished surface, so that when the article whichhas been formed within the mold, in engagement with the upper surface of this pallet has'been removed from the mold and is set away to dry, without breaking the contact between the article formed by the mold and the surface of the pallet, a finished surface similar to that of the surface of the pallet is imparted to the article.

At each end of the mold frame I have provided two retaining lugs 46 having openings-47 extending through them which receive the posts 39, so that the mold frames may be moved on said posts for the purpose of allowing the article to be held in unbroken contact with the pallets as this mold frame is elevated and drawn out of contact with the articles formed by the molds in this mold frame. These posts 39 are cut away slightly on one side to form a projection 48 for limiting the outer movement of the mold frames and prevent their slipping off the posts after having been delivered of the articles formed within them.

Rear mold supporting trac7cs.In each end of each of the side plates 40 of the mold frame I have provided a notch 49 designed to receive the rear auxiliary tracks, of which there are two in number, one on each side of the frame, some distance above and largely at'the rear of the tracks 29. Each of these rear tracks comprises a spring pressed member 50, and a rearwardly and downwardly extending curved portion 51. The spring pressed members 50 are secured to the inner end of the shanks 52, which extend outwardly through a'supporting bar 53, and a collar 54 is provided on each of the shanks 52, and a spring 55 is mounted between the collars 54 and the supporting bars 53 for yieldingly holding the spring pressed member 50 at its outer limit of movement. Each of the spring pressed members 50 are ta ered, with their narrow edges lowermost and the upper corners of each side plate of the mold frame is inclined inwardly to allow the mold plate to act against the spring pressed members of the rear auxiliary tracks and force said members outwardly until they come to a point directly in line with the notches 4E9, whereupon the spring pressed members are forced into said notches and the mold frames maintained at their upper limits of movement until they are advanced rearwardly by the action of the conveyer and drawn over the curved portion of the rear auxiliary track. It is while the mold frames are thus maintained in an elevated position relative to the rest of the conveyer that the pallets and the articles remaining thereon, after the molds have been elevated, are removed from the machine and set away to dry and harden.

The front mold supporting tra07cs.Connected with the forward ends of each side of the main frame is a curved track 55, so arranged that the upper surfaces of these tracks will engage the under surfaces of the molds while they are at their outer limits of movement, and will retain them some distance above the pallet bed plates until the mold has passed inside of a vertical line, drawn through the forward end of the frame to enable the placing in position of the pallets on the pallet bed plates, after which the mold frames drop by their own weight and are forced downwardly by the curved guides into engagement with the pallet, which completes the molds and makes them in readiness for receiving the material for forming the article or articles to be produced.

The convey er chewing mechanism.-

I Mounted on the right end of the shaft 32 is a ratchet 56, and loosely mounted on said shaft 32, and on each side of the ratchet 56 are the pawl bearing members 57, havlng l the pawl 58 pivotally mounted between them to engage and drive the ratchet, and with it the conveyer, as the pawl bearing member 57 is operated. Mounted on the opposite side of the ratchet 56 from the pawl 58 is a T spring maintained dog 59 which retains the for carrying out the operations contemplated. It is very essential that these parts be arranged and maintained at their proper positions accurately, owing to the fact that the large number of operations to be accomplished by the machine necessitate accurate adjustment being maintained at all times, as will be seen more fully hereinafter.

Extending upwardly from each of the sides 9-5 and 26 of the main frame are two uprights 60 and 61, which are properly reinforced for supporting and sustaining a great amount of weight and pressure upon them. These uprights 60 and 61 are connected at their upper ends by suitable arches 62 for maintaining them in the proper position relative to each other. There are a number of suitable cross braces connecting these uprights at their lower ends, and also a number of other uprights to properly maintain the sides of the main frame in position relative to each other. There are two uprights 63 and 643 extending upwardly from the extreme rear ends of each side of the main frame which are suitably connected by an arch or arches 65.

Extending longitudinally of the frame and rotatably mounted in suitable bearings secured to the uprights 61 and 64 is a main driving shaft 66 of the machine, upon which is mounted the ordinary drive pulley 67, and the idler 68, so arranged relative to each other that the belt may be readily shifted from one to the other at the pleasure of the operator.

Mounted on the driving shaft is a gear 69, a large balance wheel 70 and a bevel gear 71, for the purposes of transmitting power to the operative parts of my device and maintaining the speed uniform. Extending across the rear of the machine and mounted in suitable bearings is a shaft 72 having a bevel gear 73 on its left end in mesh with the bevel gear 71 on the main driving shaft 66, and also having a small gear 7 1- on its right end. Mounted on the shaft 7 5, which is beneath the shaft 72, is a gear 76 in mesh with the gear 7 4. Attached to one side of the gear 7 6 at one end, and at its other end to the pawl bearing member 57, is an adjustable pitman 77, so arranged that as the gear 76 is rotated, the pawl hearing member will be oscillated to operate the pawl 58 and drive the endless conveyer of the machine, an adjustment of the pitman 77, provides for alining the mold frames with the plungers hereinafter described.

Extending transversely of the machine and mounted on the brackets projecting forwardly from the uprights 63 and 6-l, is a shaft having mounted on its right end the large gear 79 which is in mesh with the small gear 74. This shaft has mounted on it a cam 80 which operates the ejector plunger, hereinafter described. The shaft 78 also has mounted on it the mutilated gear 81, which operates the mechanism for raising the mold frame, while the releasing plunger holds the article formed by the mold, in contact with the pallet, as is set out more fully hereinafter.

As explained above the oscillation of the pawl gear 57 operates the ratchet wheel 56. The operating pawl 58 is, however, pivotally mounted upon the stud 58 carried by the pawl gear 57, and is provided with an extension 82 having thereupon a pin 83. The bent lever 84 pivotally mounted upon one of the uprights 63 may be depressed by means of the link 85 which, is attached at one end to the bent lever 84: and to the other to a pivot pin eccentrically mounted on the large gear 79. It will be obvious that by this arrangement the link 85 will-be periodically depressed and through the bent lever 84: will rock the pawl 58 when the pawl gear 57 is moved upwardly to interrupt the driving engagement between the pawl and the ratchet 56, and thus cause a dwell in the conveyer.

By the operating mechanism above described, the conveyer is intermittently operated at the desired rate of speed, to enable the pallets to be placed upon the pallet bed plates at the one end, and removed therefrom, together with the completed ari molds, and for supplying the proper quantities of material and mixing these materials together before delivering them. The feeder referred to comprises a mixing trough 87, open at the top. Extending longitudinally of the trough and mounted in its end portions is a shaft 88, having a series of mixing blades 89 on it spaced some distance apart wheel 96. These wheels 95 and 96 comprise for thoroughly mixing the materials delivered into it, both before and after water has been supplied as the shaft is rotated. Secured to the mixing trough 87, and mounted above its right end is a material storing and delivering hopper which is divided into two compartments by means of a partition 90, and two deflectors 91 and 92. Extending longitudinally of the hopper 90, and on either side of the partition are two shafts 93 and 94.

Mounted on the shaft 93 is a feeding wheel 95, and on the shaft 94; a feeding a hub and a series of radial blades which serve to retain the materials within the hopper while stationary, and advance this material to a delivering point beneath them as they are operated. By regulating the relative speeds of these feeding wheels, the operator can feed the proper quantities of materials into the mixing trough.

The shafts 93 and 94 are properly geared together at their left ends by means of two gears 97; Immediately beneath the left end of the mixing trough 87 is a grooved feeding shaft 98 mounted on shaft 107, having two or more grooves 99 therein, into which the material falls after it has been thoroughly mixed by the mixing blades 89, which cause the material to be forced to the delivery or left end of the mixing trough, beneath which the feeding shaft is mounted.

This construction allows the material to be thoroughly mixed as it is advanced to the feeding shaft, from which it is delivered through the opening 100 onto a feeding plate 101. This feeding plate is secured to the rotatable shaft 102, which extends to the right end of the machine, in such a way, that as the feeding plate is released, the mixed surfacing material will slide over it into the various molds which stand in readiness beneath this feeding plate. Extending from the outer edge of the upper surface of the feeding plate 101 inwardly, is a series of ribs 103, so arranged as to direct the mixture into the various molds within the mold frame, in substantially equal amounts, to suitably fill the molds at each delivery of the feeding plate. Mounted 011 the right end of the shaft 102 is a rock arm 104 which has the weight 105 at one end and a roller 106 at its other end.

Extending transversely of the machine and beneath mixing trough 87 is a shaft 107. Mounted at the right end of this shaft 107 is a bevel gear 108, and at the left end of said shaft is mounted a crank wheel 109. Mounted on the shaft 107, immediately in side of the crank wheel 109 is a cam 110, designed to coact with the roller 106 to maintain the feeding plate 101 in a closed position for retaining the material within the grooves 99 of the grooved feeding shaft 98 mounted on shaft 107. As soon as the cam releases this shaft, the weight 105 becomes effective and rotates the shaft slightly to throw the feeding plate into an open position, and allows the surfacing material to slide over it into the molds, as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. This feeding operation is regulated properly by the rotation of the shaft 107. Secured to the right end of the shaft 9 1 is a ratchet 111. Pivotally mounted on the shaft 9-1 and outside of the ratchet 111 is a bell crank lever, comprising the pawl bearing arm 112 and the slotted arm 113. Pivotally attached to the pawl bearing arm 112 is a pawl 114, designed to engage the teeth of the ratchet 111, and actuate it, to drive the shafts 9-1 and 93 as the bell crank lever is operated by means of a pitman 115, which. is adjustably secured to the slotted arm 113 of the bell crank lever and to the crank wheel 109.

It will be seen that as the feeding shaft 107 is operated, the feeding wheels mounted on the shafts 93 and 94 will be driven to deliver the material within them in proper proportions into the mixing trough, and the material when mixed will be delivered by the grooved feeding shaft 98, which is secured to the shaft 107 onto the feeding plate 101, and over it into the molds in the mold frames on the conveyer beneath.

By means of the slot in the slotted arm 113, and the pawl in the upper end of the pitman 115, the stroke of the rock arm can be regulated to increase or diminish the quantity of material being fed into the mixing trough beneath the material storing and delivering hopper 90.

- The bevel gear 108, through which the feeding plate 101, the grooves feeding shaft 98, and the feeding wheels mounted on the shafts 93 and 94 are operated, is driven by means of a bevel gear 116, loosely mounted on the shaft 117, which shaft is rotatably mounted on the left side of the machine, in substantially the same plane as the shaft 107 is mounted. Keyed to the front end of the shaft 117 is a clutch 118, designed to engage a lug 119 on the bevel gear 116 for throwing said gear into operative relation with the shaft 117 for driving the shaft 107. This clutch 118 is thrown into and out of engagement with the lug 119 on the bevel gear 116 by means of a lever 120 which is pivoted to it and to a support 121 secured to the left upright 86, so that by means of ,this lever, the gear 116 is thrown into or out of gear with the gear 108. Near the rear end of the shaft 117 I have mounted a gear 122. In mesh with this gear 122 is a gear 123 which is secured to a shaft 124 that extends forwardly from and is substantially in a line parallel with the shaft 117.

Mounted on the shaft 124 in front of the drive wheel 67 is the gear. 125, through which this shaft 124 is operated, and through which the tamping plunger, to be hereinafter described, is also partially operated.

Mounted on the shaft 126, which is immediately above the central portion of the tamping plunger, above referred to, and extending longitudinally of a portion of the machine, is a gear 127 in mesh with the gear 125. This gear 127 in turn is inmesh with a small gear 128' which is mounted on a short shaft 129 substantially parallel with the shaft 126, and which has mounted at its rear end a gear 130 which is in mesh with the gear 69 on the main driving shaft, so that the feeding plate 101, the grooved feeding shaft 98 and the feeding wheels mounted on the shafts 93 and 94 are driven through the mechanism, above described, by the main driving shaft 66 of the machine.

The shaft 88, and with it the mixing blades 89, is driven by means ofa bevel gear 132which is in mesh with the bevel gear 133 on the auxiliary driving shaft134, which is mounted on the right side of the machine, substantially in line with the shaft 88. This auxiliary driving shaft has mounted on it the driving wheel 135 and the idler 136, so arranged relative to each other that the belt by which the power is transmittedwto the driving wheel 135 may be easily shifted from one to the other to throw-the auxiliary driving shaft out of or into operation readily. Suitable pipes 137 lead from a source of supply into the-material storing and delivering hopper 90, designed to keep this hopper suitably filled with the various 7 materials used for surfacing the article to be constructed.

The aggregate h07)72e1'.A slight distance at the rear of the edge surfacing feeder, and suitably mounted on the uprights 138, which form a part of the frame, is an aggregate hopper 139, into which the body or aggregate material is fed by a suitable mixing machine 140, and from which this aggregate material is delivered into the molds on top I 7 to the tops of the molds, so that as the conveyer and molds are advanced, these molds are left suitably filled with the material.-

The fact-11 9 spacer Mounted on the main frame is a facing spacer supported by two uprights 145 on each side of the machine and at the rear of the aggregate hopper 139. Connected to the uprights 145, and rotatably mounted at the top portion is a crank shaft 146, having two cranks 147 and 148 therein. On the left end of the crank shaft isa bevel gear 149, adjustably mounted by means of the setscrew 150, the bevel gear 149 is in mesh with the bevel gear 151, on the shaft 124, so that as the main driving shaft66 is operated, and when the bevel gears 147 and 149 are in'mesh with each other, the crank shaft 146 will be operated.

" I' have provided a set screw 152 which passes through the bearing which supports the left end of the shaft 146, so arranged that when the bevel gear 149 is held out of engagement with the bevel gear 151, the

crank shaft can be locked in position by means of this set screw to hold the cranks 147 and 148 at their upper limit of movement for holding the operative parts of the facing spacer out of the path of movement of; the moldplates. This is done to enable the machine to be operated without theuse of the facing spacer, if desired. 7

4 Slidingly mounted in the inner surfaces of the'inprights 145 are two slides 153 and 154'which are connected with each other by means of a blade supporting bar 155, hav

ing a series of'spacingblades 156 mounted thereon, and so arranged relative to the bar that as the bar is moved downwardly and the molds are in the proper position beneath them, these spacmg'blades will enter the end of the mold and crowd the material, which is within it, sufficiently to admit the blades and leave said material away from the end of the mold, when the blades are withdrawn so that the end surfacing material may be poured into the opening or spaces thus formed, by the crowding of the material within the molds. v

Pivotally attached to the slides 153 and 154 at one end, and at their other ends to the cranks 147 and 148, respectively, are the pitmen 157 and 158, so arranged that as the crank shaft 146 is rotated, the blade supporting bar 155 and the blades 156 will be reciprocated vertically to accomplish the re sult desired.

The cad surfacing fcc(Zcr.At the rear of the facing spacer, and mounted on two uprights 159 is an end surfacing feeder, constructed similar to the edge surfacing facer with a mixing trough 160, having a shaft 161 extending longitudinally of it, on which there are mixing blades 162. There is a material storing and delivering hopper 168 at the right end of this mixing trough in which there are two feeding wheels 164 and 165, shown in Fig. 7. Beneath the left end of the mixing trough 162 is a grooved feeding shaft 166, having two or more grooves 167 therein. There is an opening 168 beneath the grooved feeding shaft, through which the material passes and is delivered onto a feeding plate 169 which is secured to the shaft 170. This feeding plate has a series of ribs 171 on its upper surface which guides the material as it passes over it, into the spaces formed by the facing spacer at one end of each mold, into which the facing material is to be delivered, as shown clearly in Fig. 7. The grooved feeding shaft 166 is mounted on a shaft 172 which extends across the machine, and has mounted at its left end a bevel gear 173, in mesh with the bevel gear 174 that is loosely mounted on the shaft 117, which,'-as above stated, is driven from the main driving shaft 66. I have provided a lug 175 on the bevel gear 174 designed to be engaged by a clutch 176, controlled by a lever 177, pivoted to a support 178 secured to the leftupright 1.59. By throwing the clutch into engagement with the lug 175, the shaft 117 operates the bevel gear 174 to drive the shaft 172, and with it a crank wheel 179 that is rigidly secured to the left end of this shaft 172. Attached to the shaft 172 inside of the crank wheel 17 9'is a cam 180 designed to operate a bell crank lever 181 attached to the feeding plate shaft 170. The cam is designed to hold the feeding plate 169 in a closed position until the proper time to have it released to deliver the material, when it is drawn open by a weight 182 secured to the bell crank lever 181, as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings.

V Mounted on the end of the shaft supporting the feeding wheel 164 is a ratchet 183 operated by a bell crank lever, having a pawl bearing arm 184 thereon, and the slotted arm 185. The pawl bearing arm 184 bears the pawl 186, which engages the ratchet and rotates as the bell crank lever is operated, by meansof the pitman 187, connecting the slotted arm 185 with the crank wheel 179. The slot in the slotted arm 185, together with the pawl in the upper end of the pitman, afl orcls an adjustment by which the delivery of material from the material retaining and delivering hopper, into the mixing trough beneath, is regulated.

From the above description, it will be seen that the feeding plate 169, the feeding shaft 166, and the feeding wheels 164 and 165 are operated from the main driving shaft 66. There are two supply pipes 187 for feeding the material from general storage into the compartments of the material storing and delivering hopper, which compartments are formed by a partition 188. There are also two guide plates 189, partially beneath the feeding Wheels 165 and 166 similar to the feeding plates in the hopper 90. Secured to the right end of the shaft 161 is a bevel gear 190 in mesh with the gear 191, which latter gear is rotatably mounted on the auxiliary driving shaft 134. I have provided a clutch mechanism 192 for throwing the gear 191 into and out of operative relation with the auxiliary driving shaft 134, so as to throw the end surfacing feeder out of gear when it is desirable not to put an end surfacing on the article which is being constructed; that is, the spacer and the end surfacing feeder are, under these circumstances, both kept out of gear when the article which is being made requires no end surfacing.

The tampz'ng pZungcr.Mounted in the upright 60 is a crank shaft 195, having the gear 196 at one end thereof in mesh with the gear 127, above referred to. Near the rear end of the shaft 124, upon which the gear 125 is mounted I have provided a crank 197 which is between the sides of the upright 61, and is opposite the crank in the crank shaft 195. Mounted between the uprights 60 and 61, immediately above the molds of the conveyer and capable of vertical movement, is a plunger head 198. Pivotally attached to one end of the plunger head 198 and to the corresponding end of the cross brace 62 is a toggle 199 which is pivoted together at its central point'by the pin 200. Pivotally attached to this pin 200 and adjustably connected with a bearing 201, which is mounted on the crank of the crank shaft 195 is a pitman 202. Pivotally connected with the opposite ends of the plunger and the cross brace 62, from that to which the toggle 199 is attached, is a toggle 203, the inner ends of which are pivoted together by means of the pin 204. This pin is connected with a pitman bearing 205, which is mounted on the crank 197 by means of an adjustable pitman 206. By the arrangement of gearing and construction of the tamping plunger, the plunger head will be raised and lowered as the main driving shaft 66 is operated, and on account of the construction and arrangementof gearing, a great amount ofpressureis' exerted as the plunger is moved downwardly, so that when" the tamper members 207, which form a portion of the plunger head 1%, enter the in: dividual molds on the conveyer beneath them, the material in the molds will be forced toward the sides and lower surface of the mold and into a dense and compact mass. This tamping plunger is so con structed and arranged as to operate at certain predetermined intervals totamp the material in each set of molds as the mold frame on the conveyer passes beneath it.

I have provided a heavy reinforcing cross bar 208 which connects the sides of the main frame immediately beneath the conveyer, which serves to support the conveyer and maintain it against the severe pressure which is brought to bear upon it by means of the plunger head being forced against the material in the molds upon the conveyer.

Attached to the lower ends of the guides 209 and 210, in which the plunger head is slidingly mounted, aretwo bars 211 and 212, under which each mold frame stands whilethe tamping plunger is being operated, which serve to retain each of these molds at its lower limit of movement, and prevents the mold from bein raised on the return stroke of the plunger head.

It has been found that the conveyer will bring the molds in line with the t-amping members of the plunger, but if it is desired to bring these more accurately in line, a mechanism for accomplishing this result can be easily attached to the machine adjacent to the plunger supports.

The 72303- raisin-g devioa-l3etween the shafts 7:2 and 7S Ihave provided a crank shaft 213, in which there are two cranks 21d and 215. Slidingly mounted on the inner lower portions the uprights 63 and 6d are two lifting 216 and 217, having the angular extensions 21S and 219 at their lower ends, projecting inwardly, designed to engage the under portions of the ends of the mold as the mold frames are brought in line with them. i I a ildjustably secured at one end to the lifting plate 216, and at its other end to the crank Q l is a pitman 22 Adjustably attached to the lifting plate'217 at one end and to the crank 215 at its other, is apitman 221. These pit-men and lifting plates are so arranged that as the releasing plunger, herelnafter descr1bed,1sheld in engagement with the material within the molds, and as the crank shaft 213 is operated, the mold frames will be raised until the spring pressed member 50 enters the notches 49 in the mold frame. The lifting plates are then moved to their lower limits of movement, where they are in readiness to receive the neXt mold frame advanced by the conveyer. The shaft 213, by which the mold raising device is operated, is driven through a gear 221 mounted on it, and which is in mesh with the gear 81 on the shaft 78, which is driven through the gears 79 and 7d, the shaft 72 and the bevel gears 73 and 71 from the main driving shaft 66 of the machine.

As has been before stated, the gear 81 is mutilated so that the lifting device is allowed to remain at rest at its lower limit of movement while the conveyer is being advanced a suflicient distance to bring the next mold frame to proper position for being lifted by this device, and while the pallet is being carried rearwardly to a point of delivery.

I have provided two guide plates 222 and 223 on the gears 81 and 221, respectively, arranged to keep the gears in line with each other while the mutilated portion of the gear 81 is nearest the gear 221.

The releasing phmger.Secured to the uprights 63 and 6-1, and near their inner top portions are two guides and 295, respec-- tively, in which a vet icall movable releas ing plunger head n ed. Secured to the releasing plui g 6 head n16 are two pitmen 227 and erich connected at their upper ends with two rock arms 29.9 and 230, respectively. These rock rms are mounted on the shaft 231 which is rotatably mounted in the hangers 9.32 and 33, which are secured to and extend downwardly from the arch 65, as shown the drawings.

Mounted on the central portion of the shaft 281 is a pinion. Q34, in mesh withthe rack 235. The rack; secured to a sliding member 2236, supported at one end by the bloclr ,mounted on the shaft 213 and at its other end, is supported by the blocks 238 on the shaft 1 8.. There is a roller 239 secured to the slidin member 236 which enters the groove Fill) ofthe cam 80, so that as the cam is driven by the shaft 78, the sliding member will he oscillated and cause the rack 235 to impart an alternate rotary motion to the 1 1011 2st, and hence cause the reloasii g plunger to be raised and lowered as the driving shaft is operated.

Thus it will he seen by means of the above construction, when the mold is advanced by the conveyor to the proper position beneath the releasing plunger, his plunger,-which is properly timed with all of the rest of the .mechanism of the device, is moved downclearly in Fig. 16 of wardly until the retaining members 241 engage the formed article in each of the molds, and holds this article against the pallets and against upward movement as the mold frame is drawn upwardly. After the mold frame has been raised, the releasing plunger is drawn out of engagement with the articles formed, and the conveyer again advances to deliver the pallet board at the rear where it is removed from the conveyer and set away, together with the articles formed upon it, which have by this mechanism been retained in unbroken contact with the pallet to allow them to be set away and allowed to dry while they are thus in con tact with the polished, smooth or nonadhesive surface of the pallet.

T he bra7ce.Beneath the balance wheel, and between the upright 64: and the left upright 61 is a rock shaft 242, having a bell crank lever secured to its central portion, upon the inner arm of which the brake shoe 243 is mounted, and to the outer arm of which is pivotally attached a connecting rod 244, which connecting rod is pivotally attached at its lower end to a rock arm 245 secured to the rock shaft 2&6, and which shaft is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 0n the left side of the main frame.

Attached to the rock shaft 246 are a number of operating levers 24:7 which may be moved downwardly at their outer ends by the operator for throwing the brake shoe 243 against the fly wheel 70 and instantaneously stop the operation of the machinery. There is a spring 2-18 secured at its lower end to the main frame, and at its upper end to a rock arm 249, attached to the shaft 242 for throwing the brake shoe out of engagement with the fly wheel. Suitable water pipes 250, properly controlled by faucets and stopcocks are provided which furnish the proper Water supply for the mixing troughs 87 and 160.

Practical 0 )emtz'0n.In the practical operation of the machine, and assuming that the driving belts have been thrown onto the driving pulleys 67 and 135, and that the surfacing materials are being properly supplied to the material storing and delivering hoppers 90 and 168, and that the aggregate hopper is receiving its material properly from the aggregate mixer 140, and that water is being fed into the mixing troughs 87 and 160 through the supply pipes 250, and that the parts of the mechanism are in gear, the entire mechanism is in readiness for operation. The pallets 43 are placed in position on the conveyer at the forward end of the machine beneath the mold frames as fast as each pallet bed plate and mold frame is advanced with the conveyor.

Following the progress of a single mold 7 frame through the machine, it willbe seen that the mold frame first comes to position beneath the edge surfacing feeder which, through the mechanism heretofore described, allows the surfacing material, which preferably comprises a fine mixture of materials thoroughly mixed by this feeder to be delivered into the molds. This mold frame is then advanced to a position beneath the aggregate hopper, where the molds receive a supply of the coarser, but thoroughly mixed material which comprises the body of the article to be formed. When the mold frame is advanced rearwardly to aposition beneath the facing spacer, the prongs of this spacer enter the rear ends of the molds and crowd the material toward the forward end of the mold and provide a space to receive the surfacing material which forms the end of the article from the end surfacing feeder. As the mold frame continues its progress, it is brought to a position immediately beneath the tamping plunger, whereupon the article within the molds is thoroughly tamped and crowded into a dense mass. The plunger is then drawn upwardly, the mold advanced rearwardly to a point where the releasing plunger holds the article in contact with the bottom of the molds, or pallet, and the mold elevating device raises the mold frame out of engagement with these articles, whereupon the releasing plunger is raised and the pallet is freed so that it may, together with the articles formed thereon, be removed from the rear of the machine without breaking the contact between the articles formed and the polished, smooth, or non-adhesive surface of the pallet which has, throughout the entire operation, formed the bottom of the molds. The pallet, together with the articles is then preferably set away to allow the articles to be dried and hardened. The mold frame is then carried by the conveyer, beneath the mold frames which are being filled, to a point of starting. During all of this operation, the various operative parts are so timed and regulated by the construction described, that certain of the operations are being performed simultaneously,.while thereis a pause in a certain other of the operations to allow for the proper filling of the molds, the proper spacing in the molds, the proper tamping of the materials, and the releasingof the articles, and forthe delivering and supply of the pallets.

1. In a device of the class described, a frame, a conveyer operatively mounted in the frame, a series of pallet bed plates in the conveyer, a pair of posts having a screw threaded and taperedlower end entering a tapered and screw threaded opening in the bed plate, which tapered end and opening together maintain the posts in a vertical position, a mold frame loosely mounted between the posts on each bed plate, a pallet together maintain the posts in a vertical position, a mold frame loosely mounted between the posts on each bed plate, a limiting stop on each of the posts for limiting the outer movement of the mold frames. a pallet mounted on the pallet bed plate to formthe bottom of the mold, means for feeding material into the mold frames, and means for intermittently operating the conveyer.

3. In a device of the class described, a

frame, a conveyer operatively mounted in the frame, a series of pallet bed plates in the conveyer, a pair of posts having a screw threaded and tapered lower end entering a tapered and screw threaded opening in the bed plate, to maintain the posts rigidly in a vertical position, a mold frame loosely mounted between the posts on each bed plate, a pallet mounted on the pallet bed plate to form the bottom of the mold, means for automatically feeding material into the mold frames, and means for operating the conveyer. I

4;. In a device of the class described, a conveyer, a series of mold frameshaving molds therein, in which articles are formed, a series of palletsmounted on the conveyer beneath the mold frames, designed to form the bottoms of the molds while the article is being formed in them, means for automatically delivering material into the molds, means for holding the article formed within the molds in contact with the pallet'while the mold frame is being raised, and means for raising the mold frame so that the pallets, with the articles formed thereon, may be lifted from the conveyer at the rear of the machine.

5. In a device of the class described, a conveyer, a series of mold frames on the conveyer, a pallet having a polished and nonadhesive surface forming the bottom of each mold frame, and means for raising the mold frame while the articles formed therein are held in contact with the pallet to allow the pallet to be removed with the'articles thereon. 1 i

6. In a device of the class described, a conveyer, a series of mold frames on the convever, a pallet having a polished andno'nadhesive surface forming the bottom of each mold frame, and automatic means for raising the mold frame while the articles formed therein are held in unbroken contact with the pallet, to allowthe pallet tobe removed with the articles thereon.

7. Ina device of the class described, a conveyer, a series of mold frames on the conveyer, a pallet having a pollshedand non adhesive surface forming the bottom of each mold frame, means for raising the mold frame while the articles formed therein are held in contact with the pallet to allow the pallet to be removed with the articles thereon, and means for automatically delivering the materials into the mold frames which are to be formed into articles by the molds.

8. In a device of the class described, a conveyer, a series of mold frames on the conveyer, a pallet forming the bottom of each mold frame, automatic means for raising the mold frame whilethe articles formed therein are held in unbroken contact with the pallet, to allow the pallet to be removed with the articles thereon, means for automatically delivering the materials into the mold frames which are formed into articles by the molds.

9. In a device of the class described, a conveyer, a series of mold frames movable upward away from said conveyer and having molds in which the articles are designed to be formed, a series of pallets each having a polished or non-adhesive surface mounted on the conveyer and forming a surface of the molds, while the articles are being formed in them, and means for automati-- cally raising said mold frames upward away from the conveyer to release the pallets and the articles formed on them without breaking the contact between the articles and the pallets. I r

10. In a device of the class described, a conveyer, a series of mold frames mounted thereon and movable upward away from said conveyer, said frames having molds in which the articles are designed to be formed, a series. of pallets each having a polished or non-adhesive surface mounted on the conveyer and forming a surface of the molds, while the articles are being formed in them, and means for automatically raising said mold frames upward away from the conveyer to release the pallets and the articles formed on them without breaking the contact between the articles and the pallets, to

a series of pallets each having a polished or non-adhesive surface mounted on the conveyer and forming a surface of the molds, while the articles are being formed in them, means for automatically raising said mold frames upward away from the conveyer to release the pallets and the articles formed on them without breaking the contact between the articles and the pallets, to allow the pallets to be removed and set away with the articles in contact with them, so that they may dry and harden, and a polished or smooth surface may be imparted to the articles similar to that upon the pallets, and means for automatically delivering material into the molds.

12. In a device of the class described, a conveyer, a series of mold frames mounted thereon and movable upward away from said conveyer, said frames having molds in which the articles are designed to be formed, a series of pallets each having a polished or non-adhesive surface mounted on the conveyer and forming a surface of the molds, while the articles are being formed in them, means for automatically raising said mold frames upward away from the conveyer to release the pallets and the articles formed on them without breaking the contact between the articles and the pallets, to allow the pallets to be removed and set away with the articles in contact with them, so that they may be dry and harden, and a polished or smooth surface may be imparted to the articles similar to that upon the pallets, and means for operating the conveyer intermittently.

13. In a device of the class described, a conveyer, a series of mold frames mounted thereon and movable upward away from said conveyer, said frames having molds in which the articles are designed to be formed, aseries of pallets each having a polished or non-adhesive surface mounted on the con veyer and forming a surface of the molds, while the articles are being formed in them, and means for automatically raising said mold frames upward away from the conveyer to release the pallets and the articles formed on them without breaking the contact between the articles and the pallets, to allow the pallets to be removed and set away with the articles in contact with them, so that they may dry and harden, and a polished or smooth surface may be imparted to the articles similar to that upon the pallets, and means for operating the con= veyer and the releasing mechanism intermittently. V v

14. In a device of the class described, a conveyer, a series of mold frames mounted thereon and movable upward away from said conveyer, said frames having molds in which the articles are designed to be formed, a series of pallets each having a polished or non-adhesive surface mounted on the conveyer and forming a surface of the molds, while the articles are being formed in them, means for automatically raising said mold frames upward away from the conveyer to release the pallets and the articles formed on them without breaking the contact be tween the articles and the pallets, to allow the pallets to be removed and set away with the articles in contact with them, so that they may dry and harden, and a polished or smooth surface may be imparted to the ar while the articles are being formed in them,

means for automatically raising said mold frames upward away from the conveyer to release the pallets and the articles formed on them without breaking the contact between the articles and the pallets, to allow the pallets to be removed and set away with the articles in contact with them, so that they may dry and harden, and a polished or smooth surface may be imparted to the articles similar to that upon the pallets, means for operating the conveyer and the releasing mechanism intermittently, and means for operating the means for delivering material into the molds.

16. In a device of the class described, a conveyer, a series of mold frames having molds therein in which the articles are designed to be formed, a series of pallets each having a polished or non-adhesive surface mounted on the conveyer and forming a. surface of the molds, while the articles are being formed in them, means for automatically releasing the pallets and the articles formed on them without breaking the contact between the articles and the pallets, to allow the pallets to be removed and set away with the articles in contact with them so that they may dry and harden, and a smooth or polished surface may be imparted to the articles similar to that upon the pallets, means for operating the conveyor and the releasing mechanism intermittently, and means for operating the means for delivering material into the molds, a brake for controlling the means which operates the conveyer and the releasing mechanism.

i 17. In a device of the class described, an endless conveyer, a series of mold frames each movable upward away from the conveyer while the conveyer is in motion, a series of pallets mounted on said conveyer and each having a polished non-adhesive surface which together with the mold frames form complete molds in which articles may be shaped, and means for raising said mold frames upward away from the conveyer to release the pallets carried by said conveyer. 18. In a device of the class described, an intermittently operated conveyer, mold frames mounted on the conveyer and capable ,of limited movement upward away from it, pallets having a polished or non-adhesive surface designed to be engaged by material fed'into the mold frames for imparting a finish to the article which comes in contact with said surface, and means for feeding materials into the mold frames.

19. In a device of the class described, an intermittently operated chain conveyer, mold 2 frames mounted on the conveyer and capable of limited movement upward away from it, pallets mounted above said conveyer and having a polished or non-adhesive surface designed to be engaged by material fed into 5 the mold frames for imparting a finish to the article which comes in contact with said surface, means for feeding materials into the'mold frames, means for thoroughly mixing the materials before they are fed into the mold frames and means for lifting the mold frames away from the chain conveyer when the molded articles are to be removed.

20. In a device of the class described, an intermittently operated conveyer, mold frames mounted on the conveyer and capable of limited movement away from it, pallets having a polished or non-adhesive surface designed to be engaged by material fed into the mold frames for imparting a finish to the articles which come in contact with said surface, and means for feeding materials into the mold frames, means for mixing the material, a water supply leading to the means for mixing the materials.

A5: 21. In a device of the class described, an intermittently operated conveyer, mold frames mounted on the conveyer and capable of limited movement away from it, pallets having a polished or non-adhesive suri'510; face designed to be engaged by material fed into the mold frames for imparting a finish to the article which comes in contact with said surface, means for feeding materials into the mold frames, and means for main- 7 F55. taining the mold frames some distance away into the mold frames for imparting a finish to the article which comes in contact with said surface, means for feeding materials into the mold frames, means for thoroughly mixing the materials before they are fed into the mold frames, and means for maintaining the mold framessome distance away from the conveyer at the forward end of the machine to allow the pallets to be inserted on the conveyer and beneath the said mold frames.

23. In a device of the class described, an intermittently operated conveyer, mold frames mounted on the conveyer and capable of limited movement away from it, palso lets having a polished or non-adhesive surface designed to be engaged by material fed into the mold frames for imparting a finish to the articles which come in contact with said surface, means for feeding materials into the mold frames, a water supply leading to the means for mixing the materials, and means for maintaining the mold frames some distance away from the conveyer at the forward end of the machine to allow the pallets to be inserted on the conveyer and beneath said mold frames.

24:. In a device of the class described, an intermittently I operated conveyer, mold frames mounted on the conveyer and capable of limited movement away from it, pallets having a polished or non-adhesive sur face designed to be engaged by material fed into the mold frames for imparting a finish to the article which comes in contact with said surface, means for feeding materials into the mold frames, and a releasing mechanism for raising the mold frames, and allowing the pallets with the material which had been formed with the mold frames to be removed simultaneously and without breaking the contact between the pallets and the articles formed upon them.

25. In a device of the class described, an intermittently operated conveyer, mold frames mounted on the conveyer and capable of limited movement away from it, pallets having a polished or non-adhesive surface designed to be engaged by material fed into the mold frames for imparting a finish to the article which comes in contact with said surface, means for feeding material into the mold frames, a releasing mechanism for raising the mold frames and al lowing the pallets with the material which had been formed with the mold frames to be removed simultaneously and without breaking the contact between the pallets and the articles formed uponthem.

26. In a device of the class described, an intermittently operated conveyer, mold frames mounted on the conveyer and capable of limited movement away from it, pallets having a polished or non-adhesive surface designed to be engaged by material fed 13 0 

